Elizabeth Home plans topic of event

Thursday

Sep 26, 2013 at 3:22 PM

Luke Smucker

A charismatic Darleta Gramm, director of the Caring Pregnancy Center, spoke to community members Wednesday at Pontiac Family Kitchen for the Pontiac Chamber of Commerce Issues and Eggs event in regard to the CPC and the plans for Elizabeth Home.“I am used to presenting school programs in high school settings,” said Gramm. “When you are speaking to a 16- or 17-year-old, you have to capture their attention, so that is the way I present; with a little energy and dynamic.” As the clinks of silverware on breakfast plates slowly died down and the low hum of conversations began to grow quiet, Cheri Lambert, Chamber president and chief executive officer, introduced the 15 to 20 community members in attendance to the CPC director. Prior to beginning her presentation, Gramm explained that at CPC board meetings, she likes to start off by giving out prizes and wanted this event to be no different. The first prize was given to the person who could recall what street Elizabeth Home had initially planned to be located on, Vermillion Street. The second was given to the person who could guess how old the CPC organization was, 27 years old.Gramm used the answer of the second question to segue into her discussion on the background of the CPC. The organization was started 27 years ago by three women who had a desire to help teenage girls who had become pregnant out of wedlock. The women got together and decided to create an agency to help young girls in crisis pregnancies and Gramm noted that the women still offer their thoughts and prayers to the CPC today. “Even after 27 years they still have a heart for this pregnancy center,” Gramm reported.She then discussed the center’s efforts today. She said the notion of a crisis pregnancy center is no longer appropriate because in today’s society, most women don’t think of it as a crisis to be pregnant outside of marriage. She then referenced a 2008 study that showed that the U.S. government spent $89.7 billion on unwed or teenage pregnancies out of wedlock. “I have clients come in and say they are not a bit ashamed to be pregnant again,” said Gramm. “The mentality modern society held in the 50s and 60s has changed and many young mothers now feel entitled.”Gramm reminded those in attendance that the CPC is a tax-exempt organization and all of its funding and supplies come from donations. One of the biggest changes over the years has been the switch from giving mothers whatever they need to an “earn while you learn” styled program. The idea is mothers earn “mommy dollars” which they can accumulate and spend on the supplies they need. “Some mothers come in long after they stop needing assistance,” Gramm said. “They just want to talk to the volunteers and our staff members like to listen. One of our past clients in particular continues to accumulate mommy dollars even though she is out of the program — some people just really appreciate the relationship they have with our staff.” Gramm then switched subjects to discuss Elizabeth Home. The plan is still to bring the home from a plan to an actual building. She said she is looking extensively throughout Pontiac for a piece of property that will accommodate their needs. There are even blueprints drawn up if they find an empty lot, but currently the biggest roadblock is finances.“We are just trying to get everything in order,” said Gramm. “We already have most of our plans and plenty of volunteers ready to go.”She then expressed her gratefulness to the community. She said it is empowering to be part of a community that is so interested in helping to accomplish the center’s goal. Gramm’s hope is to have the Elizabeth Home established and running by September of 2014. “I would love to have three to four young moms who are learning basic domestic skills they can take with them by that time,” said Gramm. “I’d love to be able to narrow down some of our possibilities and set up a physical foundation for Elizabeth Home. The financial aspects have become somewhat of a roadblock, but the perfect place is out there. Whether we will have anything before this winter is not a certainty.”She then opened up the discussion to questions, many of which focused on the upcoming Elizabeth Home. One audience member wondered what the screening process would be like for girls wishing to live at the home. Gramm responded that their application process is extremely stringent. Their application was modeled after bits and pieces from the similar homes already in place, Esther House, part of Peoria Rescue Ministries and Under His Wings, a home for women in Ottawa.“I am looking at their lengthy application process and seeing what will work for Pontiac,” Gramm said. “I can say it is going to be very strict with no tolerance for alcohol or drug abuse.”Another attendee asked how many girls would stay at the home at a time. Gramm responded around three girls at a time would participate in the two-year program, or until the Elizabeth Home felt the mother was ready to leave. She was frustrated when she found out the Peoria home had a 25 percent success rate. Meaning that one out of every four mothers who participate in the program end up doing well enough to never need to return. In contrast, three out of four mothers tended to come back again for more help.Another question was asked in regard to the type of work the girls would do at Elizabeth Home and whether or not they would attend high school. Gramm responded that because the girls would need to be older than 18 to attend, they would be out of high school. However, in addition to household chores like meal planning, cleaning, etc., those staying at the home would be required to seek employment or continue schooling.When asked how many children would be allowed with a mother at the home, Gramm said there were different legal steps once children reach the age of 2, but that girls would be allowed to come with two children. A follow-up question was asked in regard to how many people Gramm could think of at the moment that would benefit from the Elizabeth Home. Gramm said off the top of her head she could think of at least three people who would be ready to move in.The last question was asked in regard to how the CPC will ensure the neighborhood of a future Elizabeth Home could be kept safe.“All I can say is that Peoria and Ottawa haven’t had any major problems,” said Gramm. “I can’t guarantee anything because these are uncharted waters. I can say that those found to be breaking the rules would forfeit their time in the program. I can also say we bring a lot of faith to the program and we truly believe that God will help.”Overall, Gramm was thrilled to be invited to the event and appreciated the opportunity to speak with the community. She hoped they found her presentation meaningful and was glad to respond to their questions.“I am hopeful that the people who came today left with a little bit more information and that they are well informed,” said Gramm. “If they have more interest in it, I hope they can come visit with me at the CPC.”